Page 55 of Bind Me

“Not bad. A bit greasy, but I can get used to this.”

Chowder, perched on the table, sniffs at a piece of the crusty edge I offered him. He nibbles on it, then makes a face and pushes it away.

I chuckle. “Someone’s not a fan. You’re more of a clam guy.” He sits there, watching us eat this meal, and in all seriousness, I’ve never devoured anything so fast.

“So, I did well?” Kaden asks, eyeing me as he grabs another piece.

“Yes, I love these kinds of surprises.” The longer we eat, chatting about what toppings the pizza has, I come to realize that this place isn’t so bad. It’s a far cry from my cold cabin. And as Kaden serves me another piece, showing me sides of him that aren’t all rigid or demanding, a sense of belonging I hadn’t expected rises through me.

I try not to think too much of it, but what if this is where I’m meant to be?

When I was young, my parents always told me fate would guide me in life. After losing them, I stopped believing in such things, thinking it was a comforting lie. Now, sitting here with Kaden and Chowder, I can’t help but wonder if everything has happened for a reason.

Chapter 16

Sasha

Heading out of the work building during my lunch break, I decide to make a visit to the city bibliotheca, a place filled with all kinds of books of history from around the world, including news articles. We had one back in South Africa, but I never used it. Now, I want to read some articles on fishing boat attacks, and it’s the perfect place.

I reach my car in the work parking lot when someone calls my name.

I glance back, thinking it’s a work colleague, but end up staring at my landlord from the cabin, across the parking lot, swerving around parked vehicles to reach me.

“Good, I caught you,” he says, out of breath. The man is short, plump, and a porcupine shifter. His face is round and almost looks like one in his human form.

“Is everything all right?” He’s always been kind to me, and I feel slightly bad that Kaden had me leave so abruptly, though he confirmed he paid any outstanding charges.

“I was in the city and wanted to come see you.” He rubs his cheek, a nervous tic I noticed he has, especially when he’s anxious.

“Yesterday you came to the cabin,” he states, and it’s not a question.

“That’s right. I was checking if I left anything behind. I hope that’s okay?” I dig through my bag for the cabin key, as I still haven’t returned it to him.

“Of course, it’s fine, but as I have cameras on the street in front of all cabins for security, I had seen you arrive. As soon as you went inside, I noticed another vehicle pull up several blocks down. I thought nothing of it at the time,” he says, his breaths racing.

I glance up at him, cabin key in hand, unsure where he’s going with this. “Did something happen?”

“Well, after you left, I had dinner with my family, then did my usual late-night checks on all my cabins, as you can never be too sure. But when I drove past yours, that’s when I noticed it had a smashed front door.”

I gasp. “It was perfectly fine when I left it. I swear.”

“I know,” he says, almost flustered. “But when I looked back at my footage, two men in black hoods emerged from the car after you left and entered the property. Twenty minutes later, they rushed out and drove away.”

“Oh, shit.” My mind’s sparring in dozens of directions. Had someone followed me home, maybe tried to steal from me? Except they would have been sorely disappointed, seeing as Kaden had all my belongings packed and delivered to his home already.

“The place was mostly empty,” I state.

“Well, what’s strange is that they tore up the place, smashed windows, tore the upholstery on my furniture, slashed the mattress. And they sprayed your name on the wall in red paint. With a message.”

My heart’s thundering, fear worming in my gut. “What did it say?”

He’s rubbing his cheek again. “Sasha, I see you.”

“What the fuck does that mean?” A shiver jolts down my back, but with it comes a roaring anger as I don’t bow down to threats or bullies.

My ex-landlord shrugs, looking more spooked out than me, his face paling.

“I thought you should know that you may be in danger. Maybe something you’ve done recently? I don’t know, Sasha, but you’ve been a good tenant, never causing trouble, and thankfully insurance will cover the damages. But just be careful. Norway has a lot of deadly people in the shadows you may not be aware of. So much of this country long ago survived on the backs of thieves and murderers, and those old ways haven’t all vanished.”

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